Your holiday plans need to include for the care and well-being of your animals.

The SPCA shares helpful checklists to use when deciding what to do with your pets that stay behind when you go on holiday.

When using a boarding kennel:
• Is your pet’s inoculation up to date? Reputable boarding kennels require proof of this and your pet’s vaccination certificates should be dated at least two weeks before your pets are admitted to boarding facilities.
• Have you made sure the food being served by the boarding kennel/ cattery meets your pet’s dietary requirements?
• Are dogs exercised?
• Does the kennel/cattery appear to be well maintained?
• How many animals are housed in each kennel/ cat pen?
• Have you been able to observe how the staff treat and handle the animals?
• Does the kennel cattery have a vet visit the kennels on a daily basis?
• Are the staff trained to recognise animals that may not be well or to identify unhealthy stools?
• A well-run, reputable boarding kennel is normally a safe manner in which to house your animals while you are away. It also means that pets are not lonely because of the activity around them.
• The disadvantage of boarding kennels/ catteries is that your pet is away from its home environment and may be stressed or depressed because you are also no longer around. You pet does not know if it will see you ever again.
The Highveld Ridge SPCA has a boarding cost of R45 per day. The pet owner must however supply their own food and bedding.

but have you made sure that you have followed a checklist? Here are a few handy tips to ensure your pets are well looked after when you are away.
• Will the house sitter be living with the pets in your home while you away?
• Is your pet a dog – will the house sitter be walking him or her on a leash?
• Is your property secured in such a way that no one can simply stroll into your property and leave the gate open?
• Have you left enough food for the duration of your holiday plus extra?
• If the house sitter is a professional service, how long has it been in business?
• Have you checked up on the house sitting service – is it known to your vet?
• Have you checked the references given?
• What animal knowledge does the house sitter have?
• Have you made arrangements with the vet in case your animal becomes sick?
• Does your pet have a collar and tag identification or a microchip?
• Have you given clear warning as well as verbal instructions for the care of your pet?
• Does the house sitter know what to do if the pet goes missing when you are away, in other words, contact numbers for the SPCA and vets in the area?
An emergency backup plan is needed in case of some unforeseen reason the house sitter is unable to continue performing duties.
It is advisable to ensure that your pet knows the house sitter in advance of your absence, so that your pet is more comfortable and so that you can assess if there are likely be any bonding problem.

Advantages of using a house sitter:
• That animals are often much happier continuing to live at home with a familiar routine and they have maximum exposure to companionship
• That they are not exposed to the risk of infectious diseases from other animals
• You do not have to transport your pets to and from the boarding kennel
• They also provide security as burglars won’t realised that you are not there.

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